A UAE oil executive says there is “no science” to phasing out fossil fuels to prevent global temperatures from rising above the internationally agreed climate indicator of 1.5 degrees Celsius. He made a claim and found himself in a predicament.
His comments, made during a panel discussion led by former UN special envoy on climate change Mary Robinson, struck a particular nerve with Sultan Al Jaber, who is leading the COP28 conference, the international climate summit currently being held in Dubai. I stroked it backwards.
The conflict of interest is clear. Al Jaber is the CEO of Adnoc, the largest drilling company in the Middle East, and is gearing up for a major expansion of its drilling operations.
The Al Jaber-led state oil company has the world's biggest plans to expand oil and gas production, according to the Global Oil and Gas Exit List, a public database that tracks oil and gas venture activity. .
“There is no science or scenario that the phasing out of fossil fuels will achieve 1.5,” Al Jaber said during the panel discussion, adding that he refused to join the “alarmist” debate. .
Unsurprisingly, the oil company executives' ridiculous claims caused considerable outrage.
“I heard your company will be investing in more fossil fuels in the future,” Robinson retorted.
“You read your own media, and it's biased and wrong,” Al Jaber countered. “I'm saying I'm in charge.”
Wow. Did we mention this panel discussion is about the global campaign to empower women to spearhead climate action?
Not surprisingly, this study is very clear about the need to stop burning fossil fuels.
“The science is clear,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres told summit participants. “A 1.5°C limit is only possible if we finally stop burning all fossil fuels. We don't reduce them. We phase them out with clear deadlines.”
And his critics didn't take it lightly in condemning his comments.
Former Vice President Al Gore said: “From the moment this absurd masquerade began, it was only a matter of time before his ridiculous disguise no longer concealed the reality of the most brazen conflict of interest in the history of climate negotiations.” . new york times on mail.
“Clearly, the world needs to phase out fossil fuels as quickly as possible,” he added, adding that Al Jaber “is preparing for one of the most aggressive fossil fuel production expansions and will not give the final gavel.” It is scheduled to begin as soon as the bell rings.” This is to bring COP28 to a close. ”
in a comment to guardianBill Hare, CEO of Climate Analytics, called Al Jaber's comments “an unusual, revealing, alarming and combative exchange.”
“Sending us back to our caves is the oldest metaphor of the fossil fuel industry,” he added. “It approaches climate change denial.”
In response to the outrage, Al Jaber did not recant his claims and complained that “certain statements” he had made were “taken out of context.”
“I have said many times that the phase-out and phase-out of fossil fuels is inevitable,” he said at an impromptu press conference this week, the newspaper reported. new york times.
In short, COP28 is rapidly turning into a mere distraction. To make matters worse, leaked documents reveal that the United Arab Emirates plans to use such climate change conferences to promote oil and gas companies.
Learn more about climate change: 15,000 scientists warn climate change could cause society to collapse by 2100
